The order, if granted, would force the administration to halt any planned work on the capital complex, which state Sen. Raymond Lesniak said he fears is imminent.

Lesniak said he's hopeful the judge will approve the order, as "any delay in demolition is not going to hurt anyone. But if it does start, it will hurt the people of the state of New Jersey and their ability to voice opposition to this expenditure to a vote by the Legislature."

The Legislature has not voted on Christie's $300 million renovation plan.

Instead, the proposal was routed through a series of unelected panels, including the Economic Development Authority, which is financing the work for the state.

The lawmakers, including Republicans Sens. Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R-Somerset) and Michael Doherty (R-Warren), and lawyers for the state are scheduled to appear in court next month over the complaint they filed Monday, arguing the administration unlawfully cut the Legislature and public out of the approval process.

Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex) also filed a complaint asking the court to declare the $300 million bond issue.

The suits claim the administration's financing arrangement is a clear circumvention of restrictions on state appropriations and debt.

That arrangement involves the Joint Management Committee leasing the Statehouse to the EDA, which will bond for the $287 million renovation and sublease the Statehouse back to the commission. The EDA will pay off the debt with rent payments from the state.

In a scheduling call Wednesday morning, the Attorney General's Office argued the lawsuits were moot as the state had already privately sold the bonds, the lawmakers said, adding they intend to proceeds with their suits.

For his part, Christie has said the state acted appropriately and within the law.

He dismissed the lawsuits as political stunts, noting that Lesniak and Wisniewski are both running for governor.